DollhouseMCP

# Session Notes - October 8, 2025 **Date**: October 8, 2025 **Time**: 9:10 AM - 11:10 AM (120 minutes) **Focus**: Refactor CLAUDE.md into modular documentation structure **Outcome**: ✅ Successfully completed and merged PR #1270 ## Session Summary Refactored the monolithic `claude.md` file (420 lines) into a modular, maintainable documentation structure. The session began with a discussion about whether including CLAUDE.md in the repository was best practice, which led to identifying that the real issue was ephemeral content (known bugs, session states, stale dates) being tracked in version control. Created comprehensive documentation guides including a style guide that properly addresses how to document MCP tools for different audiences (end users, developers, LLMs). ## Key Accomplishments ### 1. Created Feature Branch - Branch: `feature/refactor-claude-md-documentation` from develop - Encountered GitFlow Guardian false positive (known bug) - Verified correct branching and proceeded ### 2. Created Documentation Structure **New Files Created:** - `docs/CONVENTIONS.md` (260 lines) - Naming standards and style guide - `docs/STYLE_GUIDE.md` (547 lines) - Documentation writing standards - `docs/development/SESSION_MANAGEMENT.md` (295 lines) - Session workflow guide - `docs/development/MANUAL_ELEMENT_CONSTRUCTION.md` (380 lines) - Developer guide **Files Updated:** - `claude.md` - Reduced from 420 to 115 lines (lightweight index) - `CONTRIBUTING.md` - Added architecture overview (59 lines added) ### 3. Key Technical Decisions #### Removed from claude.md (Ephemeral Content) - "Last verified" dates that go stale - Session-specific temporary notes - Memory YAML display issues (belongs in issue tracker) #### Preserved in claude.md (Project-Critical) - GitFlow Guardian false positive warning - Session management quick reference - Directory context warnings - Quality requirements ### 4. Important Learning: MCP Tools vs CLI Commands **Critical correction made during session:** Initially documented MCP tools incorrectly as CLI commands: ```bash # ❌ WRONG - This is not how it works mcp__dollhousemcp__create_element --type personas --name helper ``` **Correct understanding:** - **MCP tools are function calls made BY the LLM**, not CLI commands for users - **End user docs**: Use natural language ("Ask your AI to create a persona") - **Developer docs**: Document tool signatures and parameters - **LLM docs**: Provide behavioral guidelines for when to invoke tools This insight led to creating audience-specific documentation guidelines in STYLE_GUIDE.md. ### 5. Documentation Style Guide Innovation Created comprehensive style guide addressing three distinct audiences: 1. **End User Documentation** (lines 50-91) - Natural language, conversational - Frame actions as conversations with AI - Example: "Create a persona called 'helpful-coder'..." 2. **Developer/API Documentation** (lines 93-145) - Technical specifications - Complete parameter documentation - Error conditions and implementation references 3. **LLM Context Documentation** (lines 147-183) - Instructions for AI assistants - Tool availability and usage - Behavioral guidelines ### 6. Review and Refinement **Initial Review Feedback:** - ❌ Don't add "What's New" section (doesn't make sense for LLM-focused file) - ❌ Don't add "Last updated" dates (goes stale, defeats purpose) - ✅ Add documentation style guide (completed in this PR) - ✅ Consider automated link checking (created Issue #1272) **Second Review Feedback:** - ✅ Add cross-reference section example (completed, commit e6c7dab) - ❌ Specify custom element types version (unknown, skipped) ### 7. Issue Management **Closed:** - Issue #1271 - Documentation style guide (completed in PR #1270) **Created:** - Issue #1272 - Automated markdown link validation (future enhancement) ## Code Changes Summary **Total changes:** 6 files changed, 1,610 insertions(+), 374 deletions(-) ``` CONTRIBUTING.md | 59 +++ claude.md | 443 +++---------------- docs/CONVENTIONS.md | 260 +++++++++++ docs/STYLE_GUIDE.md | 547 ++++++++++++++++++++++++ docs/development/MANUAL_ELEMENT_CONSTRUCTION.md | 380 ++++++++++++++++ docs/development/SESSION_MANAGEMENT.md | 295 +++++++++++++ ``` ## Technical Challenges ### 1. Over-Correction on Ephemeral Content **Problem**: Initially removed GitFlow Guardian false positive warning thinking it was ephemeral. **Solution**: User clarified this is project-specific and critical for developers to know. Restored it to claude.md along with session management quick reference. ### 2. MCP Tools Misconception **Problem**: Treated MCP tools like CLI commands in documentation examples. **Solution**: Complete rewrite of documentation approach to properly address: - How users interact (natural language to AI) - How developers understand tools (technical specs) - How LLMs should use tools (behavioral guidelines) ### 3. Branch Management **Problem**: Accidentally amended commit on wrong branch (docker-env-file-best-practices). **Solution**: - Used `git reset --soft HEAD~1` to undo - Moved files to temp location - Switched to correct branch - Restored files and recommitted properly ## Key Learnings ### 1. Documentation Best Practices - Ephemeral content doesn't belong in version control - Known bugs belong in issue tracker, not documentation - "Last verified" dates create maintenance burden - Project-specific gotchas (like GitFlow Guardian bug) ARE valuable in docs ### 2. Audience-Specific Writing - End users need natural language instructions - Developers need technical specifications - LLMs need behavioral guidelines - One documentation file can't serve all audiences equally ### 3. MCP Tool Documentation - Never document MCP tools as if they're CLI commands - Users don't invoke tools directly - their AI does - Documentation must reflect this reality - Different audience = different presentation ### 4. Cross-Reference Organization - Group by purpose (Prerequisites, Next Steps, Troubleshooting, Technical Reference) - Add context to each link (helps readers decide whether to click) - Mix link types appropriately (docs, issues, source code) - Keep cross-references relevant and focused ## Process Improvements ### 1. Documentation Review Process The reviewer (Claude GitHub Action) provided excellent feedback: - Identified what NOT to add (ephemeral content) - Suggested valuable additions (style guide) - Caught missing examples (cross-references) - Approved when quality standards met ### 2. Iterative Refinement Multiple commit cycle worked well: 1. Initial refactoring (removed ephemeral content) 2. Restore project-critical content (user feedback) 3. Add style guide (review feedback) 4. Add cross-reference example (review feedback) 5. Merge when complete ### 3. Issue-Driven Development - Created Issue #1271 for style guide - Decided to include in current PR instead of separate work - Closed issue when completed - Created Issue #1272 for future work - Clean separation of current vs future scope ## Impact Assessment ### Developer Experience - **Before**: One massive file mixing permanent and ephemeral content - **After**: Modular structure with clear navigation and audience-specific docs ### Documentation Maintainability - **Before**: Hard to update without affecting unrelated content - **After**: Update only the specific file that needs changes ### Onboarding - **Before**: New developers had to parse 420-line file - **After**: Clear index in claude.md points to specific guides ## Next Session Priorities 1. ✅ PR #1270 merged - Complete 2. Consider working on Issue #1272 (automated link checking) - Low priority 3. Monitor how the new documentation structure works in practice 4. Update organization-level CLAUDE.md if needed (different file, not touched in this PR) ## Files Created This Session ### Repository Documentation - `docs/development/SESSION_NOTES_2025-10-08-MORNING-CLAUDE-MD-REFACTORING.md` (this file) ### Committed to Repository (via PR #1270) - `docs/CONVENTIONS.md` - `docs/STYLE_GUIDE.md` - `docs/development/SESSION_MANAGEMENT.md` - `docs/development/MANUAL_ELEMENT_CONSTRUCTION.md` - Updated: `claude.md`, `CONTRIBUTING.md` ### To be Created - Dollhouse memory for session (next step) ## References - **PR #1270**: <https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/pull/1270> - **Issue #1271**: <https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/issues/1271> (closed) - **Issue #1272**: <https://github.com/DollhouseMCP/mcp-server/issues/1272> (created) - **Merge Commit**: `c2c87fd3` --- *Session notes capture the work, decisions, and learnings from this development session.* *For the memory system version, see `~/.dollhouse/portfolio/memories/2025-10-08/session-2025-10-08-morning-claude-md-refactoring.yaml`*